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then as now
spending a little bit of money has still got to be fixing their balance sheets.”
The implications for the DIY and home improvement consumer in 2012? Kiwis were going through an adjustment... “It’s pretty grumpy but it’s orderly,” said Cameron Bagrie.
His advice for retailers? Steer clear of discounting and just “Focus on the basics.”
Proud to be among the very first CodeMark recipients back
in 2011, here we see Foreno’s CEO William Webster and company founder Geoff Pearson. Geoff was tragically killed while riding his beloved motorbike in 2018.
TAPWARE ANNIVERSARIES IN DECEMBER 2011
Taking a more positive direction, 10 years ago, Whangarei’s Foreno was the first tapware manufacturer in Australasia to receive CodeMark certification.
Foreno’s was just the third product certificate issued in New Zealand, the first two being issued to James Hardie’s Linea Weatherboard and Laminex’s Metaline Splashback.
Foreno CEO William Webster said at the time: “By supporting and complying with the CodeMark Scheme we are providing an independent test and able to give reassurance to our customers of the quality products we are providing.”
“For the end user ... it takes away any doubt about the quality of the product.” added Sales & Marketing Manager Tim Baker.
Good on Foreno for making a leap of faith with what was a promising system back then.
These days, the powers that be continue to work on re-establishing CodeMark’s reputation after a slightly disappointing first decade.
Ten years later, William is CEO of Ibex Industries, while Tim heads up the sales & marketing of Whangarei lifting equipment specialists APS Equipment.
Staying with local tapware legends but taking a different route towards quality reassurance, 10 years ago Methven Tapmakers, founded in Dunedin back in 1886, was celebrating its 125th anniversary with the introduction of a 20-year warranty on its products.
At the same time, gossip and rumours of the demise of Hamilton-based tapware maker Greens proved untrue. Founded in the late 1970s, Greens was alive and well, albeit under a new company structure and management.
The new privately-owned company, Greens Global, continued trading with the Greens Tapware brand and is still based in Hamilton.
2011 WAS A SHAKY YEAR...
Having navigated the long-drawn-out disruption caused by February 2011’s earthquake, 2012 would be a big year for another local manufacturing legend, Patience & Nicholson.
The company would celebrate 50 years of New Zealand manufacturing in 2012 – which means this year, in 2021, Patience & Nicholson has just marked its first century.
This achievement was not however without the odd wobble along the way.
Indeed, in early 2001, after a series of owners in the late 2000s, Patience & Nicholson’s Australian and New Zealand operations were purchased by Sutton Tools, which is itself 104 years young this year.
Also well worthy of note in the year that Christchurch shook was Fletcher Building’s recognition of PlaceMakers Cranford Street JV, Ken Jones for
the leadership that he
and wife Jane provided in the days following the February earthquake.
Despite damage to their own home and with their livelihood and business on the line, they organised teams
to help fix roofs, move house and ran a barbecue and a water station for weeks, as many staff were without water and electricity.
PlaceMakers Cranford Street JV Ken Jones (left) is recognised for the intense work
put in towards assisting his staff and their families following the February 2011 quake. He’s seen here with Fletcher Building CEO Jonathan Ling, who would return to Australia the following year.
By 2015, Ken Jones had
been running Cranford for some 23 years and had just added the new Kaiapoi store to his responsibilities.
Fast forward now to August 2020 and, with the closure of PlaceMakers Antigua Street, on 1 September, PlaceMakers Cranford St, Hornby, Kaiapoi and Riccarton formally became “PlaceMakers Christchurch”, the first of Team Blue’s new “hub” structures.
Looking now to 2012, the Department of Building & Housing would conclude that the Canterbury TV building collapsed during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake because it did not meet relevant standards when it was built and, later that year, the Royal Commission would release its damning report into the Pike River Mine disaster of November 2010.
With John Key’s National Party continuing to Govern following the December 2011 election, 2012 would see the fall from grace of Kim Dotcom, and the year’s top selling album in New Zealand would be Adele’s 21.
This year her album, 30, is currently taking the charts by storm.
Then as now.
Take care over the holidays, we’ll be taking stock again in the new year!
40 NZHJ | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022
MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz